Chapter 19: Subjugation
The Kamui Space twisted once again, forming a vortex-like hole, and a powerful suction enveloped Shinbura.
If it were in its prime, it might have been able to struggle, but at this moment, the backlash from its Domain Expansion shattering left it with absolutely no power to resist.
Amidst a distorted, blurry scene and a screech filled with unwillingness, the Special Grade Cursed Spirit Shinbura was completely sucked into the Kamui Space and disappeared without a trace.
The cave suddenly fell into a dead silence, with only the occasional sound of rolling gravel, the muffled sobbing of the little girl, and Utahime's heavy panting remaining.
The terrifying Cursed Energy aura that had shrouded the cave receded like a tide.
Toho Hiroshi exhaled softly, the Mangekyo pattern in his eyes slowly fading away to reveal his ordinary black pupils, though a hint of exhaustion was difficult to hide.
Using the Mangekyo pupil techniques at high intensity in succession, especially controlling Kagutsuchi to condense an arrow and forcibly break the domain at the end, was no small burden on him.
Fortunately, the Reverse Cursed Technique continued to operate, rapidly repairing the depletion.
He glanced in the direction of the Kamui Space and mused to himself: "A Special Grade Cursed Spirit is actually quite a nice gift. Geto's birthday is coming up, and he should like this'surprise'." Thinking of the expression Suguru Geto might have when seeing this gift, the corners of Toho Hiroshi's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
"Is... is it over?" Utahime peeked out from behind a giant rock, looking at the devastated cave that no longer held any Cursed Spirit aura, her voice still trembling slightly.
"Yeah, it's over." Toho Hiroshi turned around and walked toward little Rika in the corner.
Rika Orimoto was still shaken, her large eyes brimming with tears. Toho Hiroshi squatted down and gently comforted her: "It's okay, the monster has been beaten away, you're safe now."
However, when Toho Hiroshi carried Rika and walked out of the cave with Utahime, attempting to find her family, they discovered the already cold and stiff corpse of Rika's father in a patch of mountain forest.
His death was miserable; he had clearly met with misfortune long ago.
Rika burst into loud wails immediately, her small body trembling violently from intense grief and fear.
Toho Hiroshi watched this scene in silence, sighing inwardly. He had long since experienced the cruelty of this world.
He gently patted Rika's back and whispered: "Don't be afraid, from now on... come with me."
In the end, Toho Hiroshi made his decision to adopt this helpless child.
He contacted the logistics department of Jujutsu High, properly handled the remains of Rika's father, and explained the situation.
Not long after, Mei Mei, who had arrived after receiving Utahime's distress signal, also appeared in the village.
Seeing Utahime, who was safe and sound but slightly disheveled, Rika, who was sleeping in Toho Hiroshi's arms, and the lingering traces of the completely dissipated Special Grade Cursed Spirit, even her cold face rarely showed a hint of surprise.
She gave Toho Hiroshi a meaningful look but didn't ask any further questions, merely nodding at Utahime: "It's good that you're fine."
Mei Mei's appearance allowed Utahime to finally breathe a sigh of relief, having found her backbone.
The mission report was completed jointly by Toho Hiroshi and Utahime, emphasizing the judgment error by the "Window" and the existence of the Special Grade Cursed Spirit, but Toho Hiroshi cleverly omitted the specific details of him breaking the domain and sealing the Cursed Spirit, saying only that he seized an opportunity to exorcise the Cursed Spirit.
On the way back to Jujutsu High, Utahime would occasionally steal glances at the black-haired, black-eyed, and calm-faced Toho Hiroshi beside her.
Her mind kept replaying the scenes in the cave: his composure as he appeared like a ghost to instantly kill the Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, his calmness in the face of a Special Grade domain, and that earth-shattering arrow at the end that tore through the darkness and burned the domain to ashes.
That strength, calmness, and the irreplaceable sense of security brought in danger formed a stark contrast to a certain white-haired jerk with a terrible personality in her memory.
An indescribable admiration and gratitude, mixed with a hint of complex and unclear feelings, quietly took root and sprouted in the heart of the young Iori Utahime, leaving behind an incomparably deep and indelible figure.
Mei Mei leaned against the trunk of an ancient tree far from the cave, the expensive, custom-made binoculars in her hand gleaming faintly with a cold light.
She had indeed arrived early, even earlier than Toho Hiroshi.
Relying on the excellent reconnaissance ability granted by her Cursed Technique "Bird Manipulation", the crows under her command had already seen everything inside the cave, including the disheveled state of Utahime being hung upside down.
She had originally intended to step in at the last moment, both to ensure the mission was completed and to allow Utahime to get enough training, as well as to make her owe a greater favor.
However, Toho Hiroshi's appearance disrupted her rhythm of watching the show and making money.
What shocked her even more was that the young man had actually solved all the problems by himself.
Especially when that Special Grade Cursed Spirit's Domain Expansion was activated, even she, standing outside the domain, could feel that terrifying pulse of Cursed Energy that made one's heart palpitate.
She had thought the mission was about to fail, and had even prepared for a failed rescue and to report the losses.
After all, barging into someone else's domain is extremely dangerous, even a suicidal act.
But what happened next completely shocked her.
Through the vision of her crows, she vaguely "saw" those strange black flames capable of burning Cursed Energy and even space, and finally that jet-black arrow that condensed into form, contained extreme destructive power, and forcibly tore through the Innate Domain.
"Domain Expansion was forcibly broken from the inside while being observed from the outside?"
Mei Mei lowered her binoculars, a flash of disbelief flickering in her cold eyes, "And the way that Cursed Spirit disappeared at the end—was it sealing? Or spatial teleportation? Tokyo Jujutsu High really has had an incredible monster freshman appear."
"Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, and now there's another one: Toho Hiroshi. The title of 'The Strongest' in this era, I'm afraid, will be more crowded than ever before."
She was still unclear about Toho Hiroshi's specific Cursed Technique, but that did not prevent her from assessing his value.
Exorcising a Special Grade Cursed Spirit alone—this level of strength far exceeded that of a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, enough to attract the attention or wariness of the higher levels of The Higher-Ups.
"It seems that in the future, when dealing with this Mr. Toho, I need to adjust my strategy."
Mei Mei curled the corners of her lips into a meaningful, merchant-like smile, "Perhaps it's an investment with huge potential."
At the entrance of the village, the Assistant Supervisor had already initially processed the scene and arranged vehicles to take them away.
Utahime looked at Toho Hiroshi, her face still flushed with the afterglow of surviving a disaster and a hint of embarrassment.
She took a deep breath, trying to make herself appear more mature and reliable: "Um... Mr. Toho, thank you so much for this time! If it weren't for you, that child and I would probably have..."
"Just a small favor." Toho Hiroshi replied calmly, while little Rika in his arms had fallen asleep due to exhaustion and grief.
"It might be a small favor to you, but it's a life-saving grace to me!"
Utahime's tone became serious; she clenched her fists, her eyes becoming firm, "I... I am not strong enough yet, and this mission has exposed many problems. But I won't give up! I will continue to work hard to take on missions, improve myself, and I will definitely become a true Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer as soon as possible!"
She looked up, gazing intensely at Toho Hiroshi: "By that time! After I become a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, if there are suitable missions in our area, can I... invite you to join me?"
Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible expectation and nervousness.
Teaming up with a reliable and gentle handsome guy would not only be safer, but she could also learn more. Utahime wanted to improve so badly!
Toho Hiroshi looked at the unyielding spirit in Utahime's eyes, pondered slightly, and nodded: "Sure. If you need help."
He acknowledged this determination to become stronger.
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